A formal oral examination or disputation; = apposition, n.1 Cf. oppose, v. 1. Obsolete.

In plural with singular agreement. An assembly of the bodies comprising a university for the purpose of disputation; a public disputation. Obsolete.

A public or academic conference or disputation. Now historical.

(with a and plural) A controversy or discussion; spec. a formal discussion of some question of public interest in a legislative or other assembly.

A public discussion or disputation in a university. Obsolete. rare.

The action of defining or discussing problems.

transferred and figurative. An encounter, combat, contest; a debate, public dispute or discussion. In 17–18th centuries often applied to a duel.

= respondency, n. 4. Now historical.